Being from Himachal Pradesh, I have traveled extensively in different regions of the state, and the Kullu region is one of these. Apart from the famous destinations like Kullu, Manali, and Kasol, this region has numerous villages, each with its history. One of these is Chehni village, which is home to the famous Chehni Kothi. This blog deals with the details of Chehni Kothi Jibhi.
History of Chehni Kothi Tower
Chehni Kothi, as the name indicates, is in the village of Chehni. The magnificence of the Chehni Kothi tower is such that it is visible from far away. This is typically a wooden fortress and is said to have been designed in the 17th century.
The region was ruled at that time by King Dhadhu, and thus, you may find its depiction as Dhadhiya Kothi in many texts. The earthquake of 1905 in this region led to its two floors crumbling, and as of now, only five floors are visible. It can be said to be the tallest tower in this region, as its height is around 45 meters.
Its Kath Kuni architecture is the main USP of the Kothi. The use of deodar trees and stone is done intricately in this architectural style, and thus, many such structures still stand intact centuries later. It can also be said without doubt that this was built mainly from a defense perspective and was used for keeping an eye on neighboring regions.
In earlier times, the staircase in the Kothi was pulled up once it was observed that the enemy was in sight. However, now this has been replaced by a steel staircase. On a higher level, the Chehni Kothi houses a temple where idols of various deities have been kept. Though locals do visit this temple occasionally, tourists have not been allowed to visit Chehni Kothi, as the influx of tourists is high, and considering the religious sanctity of the place, it is only possible to admire the rich Kathkuni architecture from outside.
Architecture of Chehni Kothi
When it comes to the architecture of Chehni Kothi, it can be said that it has a design aspect that resembles many such houses in this region. In the Kathkuni style of architecture, stones are generally embedded between layers of wood. The beams of wood have been designed in such a manner in this architectural style that they cross each other at the corner of the tower.
The finishing of this Kothi is done out of cob, which is a mixture of soil and some cow dung. The white color used here is limestone.
Courtesy: Anni Today
What else can be explored here?
An obvious question that strikes one’s mind is what else can be seen while on the Chehni Kothi Jibhi trek. While Jibhi is a worthwhile place to explore in the first place, the Shringa Rishi temple on the way to Chehni is a must-visit. This is in Baghi village on the way to Chehni village, and before you begin this short hike to Chehni Kothi, Shringa Rishi temple can be explored.
Muralidhar Mandir, dedicated to Lord Krishna with some Tankri inscriptions on the wall, will also attract and amaze you when you are here.
If you wish to watch the Himalayan ranges from close quarters, hike up to Myagi village, which is only a few twists and turns up from Chehni.
How to get to Chehni Kothi
The beginning of the Jibhi to Chehni Kothi trail is from Jibhi itself, which is a popular tourist village on the banks of Tirthan. However, the beginning of the Chehni trek is from Bini village or Bihar village. The best way is to begin the trek from Bini village, as a flight of stairs takes you to Shringa Rishi temple, and a further hike will lead you to Chehni village, home to Chehni Kothi.
This trek is of one hour duration, and in case you want to test your stamina, you can even try hiking from Bihar village, which is a shorter trek but quite steep.
Either way, you will land at Chehni, and the first view of this Kothi is so exquisite that you would want to sit down for a while and admire its beauty. The sight gets more alluring as you near your destination. The unique culture of this region, coupled with the exclusivity of Chehni Kothi, will make this a worthwhile experience, the memories of which shall last you a lifetime!
Featured image: Tour My Holiday
